FWIW, I saw on the news after the game last night that they’d already fished 20 people out of the water around wharves.

Can't find anything about that, rumour or cover up conspiracy?Seriously though. I have a great deal more faith in peoples ability to do stupid things and get away with it. From watching a Mum allow her two toddlers to play on the Wharf Fenders, those things held on with chains and old truck tyres that sway about in the waves, in the early evening to shuddering at the insane antics of drunks at the waters edge late at night I was confident that disaster was not just waiting to happen. The "Authorities", on the other hand, found it necessary to close entire roads so that people could cross, because... well, people are well known for ploughing into crowds at high speed or throwing themselves under cars in an effort to "reach the other side" aren't they?.Those "Authorities" do have just cause for thinking like this however, many of those same people voted for them.

The “Authorities”, on the other hand, found it necessary to close entire roads so that people could cross, because… well, people are well known for ploughing into crowds at high speed or throwing themselves under cars in an effort to “reach the other side” aren’t they?.

Well, actually, six people crossing Fanshawe Street were hospitalised after being hit by a bus that bounced off a car early in the evening. There were so many people in the CBD that it was simply prudent to close some streets to traffic.

There were so many people in the CBD that it was simply prudent to close some streets to traffic.

In the CBD and Eden Park maybe but to closing off main thoroughfares was always going to put an unnecessary extra burden on Public Transport. Sometimes you just have to trust the majority of the populace are not idiots, you are never going to have incident free large events. It is in handling those incidents quickly and efficiently that is the key to successful event organisation not a totalitarian police state hell bent on subjugation of the masses.

not a totalitarian police state hell bent on subjugation of the masses.

Which we really don’t have here, but you knew that. Recently I experienced what this looks like, sort of, in Singapore with 200,000 attending a waterfront event, also with fireworks. It was only the dress rehearsal for their National Day, but they let off the fireworks anyway, just to be sure they worked.

Best description I can think of is ‘military exercise’. Which is why they got the military to run it for them. No one seemed upset about the fact though, and the whole thing was family friendly, which Friday night most definitely wasn’t.

But, it was . It was just long especially for kids. As my other half said he noticed children and their antics close to the edge of Princes Wharf.He was concerned. One really should think "will any one else look out for my kid first?"I actually believe, if any child fell, hundreds of peeps would have jumped in to sort it out.So I think as a combined effort, yes kids were fine,Bit of a mess at the end, but hey all parties are.Disclaimer: My Mum and Dad raised me around parties and swimming and surrounded by lots of people, and I never felt unsafe.

Recently I experienced what this looks like, sort of, in Singapore with 200,000 attending a waterfront event

To be fair, Singapore may be a lot of things, some pretty restrictive and depressing, but it's not really a totalitarian state or close.

I'd reckon too, that given how well behaved and compliant the populace there is as a rule, the chances are they would've behaved the same way, army or not. They do, after all, put hundreds of thousands through some of the big MRT stations daily in a pretty orderly way without much in the coercion or enforcement.

Some of the big malls - Suntec for example - must have numbers way in excess of that every weekend day too. They are just clogged - uncomfortably so - but surprisingly patient as they somehow continuously shuffle the mass from confined space to confined space without incident, week in / week out. If those sorts of numbers were placed similarly in NZ it would be mayhem.

To be fair, Singapore may be a lot of things, some pretty restrictive and depressing, but it’s not really a totalitarian state or close.

Of course you're right, and I was being a bit glib for no particularly reason. The locals in particular, but then the majority of expats also, just feel no reason to cause trouble. At the risk of generalising, there is a heightened sense of not wanting to bring shame on oneself or those around you, or to interfere with the personal autonomy, or enjoyment, of others. By in large we have that too of course, but not always.

Still, we manage every year to have the Concert in the park without any major hiccups. Better preparedness seems an important factor.

Sofie, I also grew up free from constraint. I think that was fine in a small town of 1000, but when you have 200,000 people together, many consuming lots of alcohol, while walking in traffic, some corralling doesn't seem entirely a bad idea. Don't think anyone is accusing the police of doing anything but their job, are they? Although some are saying they didn't do enough.

ETA: You know what, it's a funny thing this adopting the indignation of others. As far as I know no children were harmed in the making of this opening ceremony. Bet those who went to town will have lifelong memories. The accident on Fanshawe street was very unfortunate, and I do think lower Queen Street should have been closed for traffic, but the incidents everyone is hand wringing over are small in number, if not in media coverage.

That's just what I was getting at Jack, (albeit with a slight slur last night after being out to watch Ireland beat USA). The Quay should have been shut but Fanshaw wasn't and an accident happened, could have been any day of the week. No body got off badly on the Quay. I only didn't agree with closing another main arterial route as a last minute thought. and making cars uturn back from whence they came. Oh and if you are gonna shut the street why, oh why then barrier the streets to try to create single files? That causes the rushing crushing atmosphere. This is what was around the end of Quay St heading to the Viaduct.

Oh and if you are gonna shut the street why, oh why then barrier the streets to try to create single files?

This has been my biggest take out beef with recent BDOs. Get a whole lot of excited inebriants (not a word?) and close them in a confined space in front of stage with no easy exits. Crowds do tend to self regulate, as long as they have the room.

I agree, those daffy taffies played a blinder...

Apart from the result, one of the most encouraging games of rugby I've seen so far. They should be extremely proud. I'd like to see them get through to the knock-outs, and scare a few people.

Bet those who went to town will have lifelong memories. The accident on Fanshawe street was very unfortunate, and I do think lower Queen Street should have been closed for traffic, but the incidents everyone is hand wringing over are small in number, if not in media coverage.

More downtown streets should have been closed as part of the original plan -- there just wasn't enough standing room for 200,000 people -- and I think part of Quay St should be turned into a plaza sooner rather than later.

But you're right. Many more people had a great time than had a very bad one. And despite a degree of chaos, there was no rioting or anything.

This has been my biggest take out beef with recent BDOs. Get a whole lot of excited inebriants (not a word?) and close them in a confined space in front of stage with no easy exits. Crowds do tend to self regulate, as long as they have the room.

But the BDO itself has cleaned up its act since the Red Hot Chili Peppers year, when they had 50,000 people and a really poor flow around the site. The D-Ring at the main stage was introduced after some really dangerous crowd surges when (ugh) Limp Bizkit played, and it has prevented a repeat of that.

The powers that be were aware that on opening night more than 150,000 would be attending "Party Central" downtown water front thang - however - the decision was made not to provide the resources or organise "wider opening events" that would have enabled all of Auckland to enegage and cope.

The budget has basically being allocated to the quarter, semi and finals events - where they will as well as party central operate fan zones in Albany, Manukau and Henderson.

The cloud - the state of the main bar area is woeful - the bar surface itself is timber – I think 350 x 75 mm laid on it side lightly stained – I ask myself couldn’t they afford to have some coat it in polyurethane? It is pretty unhealthy and will become germ ridden and disgusting.